3.5. Ethical considerationsEthical approval was obtained from the University's Research EthicsCommittee and the Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee of theHong Kong Hospital Authority prior to commencement of the study.The keyworker discussed the study with potential participants in detail,provided additional written information, and ascertained their capacityto provide informed consent. Potential participants were given adequate time to consider their decision. All participants were made awarethat once they had provided written informed consent they couldwithdraw from the study at any point without needing to give a reasonand without any negative treatment-related consequences. Potentialrisks to participants (i.e. emotional distress) arising from taking part inthe study were monitored (and where necessary managed) by the LYgroup facilitator and a member of nursing staff at the group sessions.